KUNA reported that Egypt has invited Australia's WorleyParsons to negotiate with its nuclear authority to sign a contract to establish the country's first nuclear power plant.

An official source of the Egyptian Ministry of Electricity and Energy said that WorleyParsons comes second on the list of 14 bidders after US Bechtel Company, which has failed to sign the contract with the Egyptian government.

The source said that if negotiations with the Australian company become successful then it will select an appropriate site for a nuclear power plant, assess nuclear technology, carry out a quality control program and provide personnel training.

It said that the Australian company will also follow up the implementation of the nuclear project, run construction and engineering works and carry out experimental operation.

The brochure of conditions and specifications has been technically reviewed by the International Atomic Energy Agency and legally by Egypt's State Council.

(Sourced from KUNA)